Arrhythmias & electrophysiologySecondary analysis
Subclinical atrial fibrillation and the risk of heart failure: insights from ARTESiA
- Secondary analysis of the ARTESiA randomised trial
Authors' conclusion
Heart failure hospitalization and HF-related death are common in patients with SCAF. Progression to longer SCAF episodes or clinical AF were associated with HF events, but episodes <24 h were not.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with device-detected subclinical AF (subclinical atrial fibrillation (SCAF)) episodes ≤24 hours in the ARTESiA trial (apixaban vs aspirin)
- Participants
- 3,986 patients
- Comparison
- SCAF progression vs no progression
- SCAF progressionn = 1,244
- Primary endpoint
- HF hospitalization or HF-related death
- Follow-up
- Mean 4.1 ± 1.7 years
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
Hazard ratio
2.72
95% CI 2.24–3.31
Events by treatment group
SCAF progression
172
events
SCAF progression vs No SCAF progression
HR 2.72 (95% CI 2.24–3.31)
- Heart failure (HF) hospitalization or HF-related death, all patients: 515 (13%)
- 3.3 [95% CI 3.1-3.6] per 100 person-years
Further findings
SCAF progression
- SCAF progression observed
- 1244 patients (31%)
Original publication
Subclinical atrial fibrillation and the risk of heart failure: insights from ARTESiA. Eur J Heart Fail. Published 13 April 2026. doi:10.1093/ejhf/xuag022
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it